TIST
CHEZHUMAI ©
WHY TO GO WITH TIST?
Ever since the development of industries and great increase in growth of population, the stress on agricultural sector for increase in food crops production has increased, which consequently increased deforestation and demand for more water. Rainfall has become a misfortune for Tamil Nadu. A Hydrogeomorphological study on Tamil Nadu says, that, the available ground water resources are very low in graph. There are lots of areas in Tamil Nadu, which face acute water scarcity. There is a severe lack of water for drinking and domestic purposes, irrigation and industrial use. All over Tamil Nadu, vegetation is withering. Current situation in Tamil Nadu, hundreds of plastic pots remain queued up on the roadside for drinking water. One single way to alleviate this chronic drought is reforestation - planting of trees. TIST encourages and facilitates villagers to plant trees and do Conservation Farming.
TIST IN TAMIL NADU
Since 2002, TIST, a Worldwide Organization, has set various plans for tree planting and conservation farming in Tamil Nadu. Most chronic drought areas like Vellore, Tiruvallur, Tiruvannamalai and Kanchipuram are selected for the TIST Program.
Villages, which are spread around Kanchipuram, were the first round area where the TIST Program was implemented. TIST gathers the villagers under a single umbrella and asks them to form Small Groups to participate in the project effectively.
TIST helps villagers in the following ways:
1. TIST helps villagers to find new ways to market their harvest.
2. TIST emphasizes on Inter-cropping, which will not only enhance the soil condition but also helps Small Groups to get better benefits.
3. TIST helps in making the Small Group member a good leader with better understanding and builds confidence in them.
4. TIST helps them in social awareness through frequent Small Group meetings.
5. TIST increases the standard of living of villagers by way of payments for planting trees.
Payments made by TIST serve as an incentive for group members to reforest their own areas and bring all the benefits of planting trees. The more number of trees a Small Group plants, the more money it gets. This activity has sparked interest in the villagers as to how the planting and conservation farming can be of importance to their life.
Successful outcomes of TIST in Tamil Nadu
1. Villages Covered by TIST - 21.
2. Registered Groups under TIST - 235.
3. TIST Groups with Savings Accounts open - 85.
4. Chittoor Village of Sriperumbuthur Taluk received maximum voucher payment from TIST.
5. Sindhukavi Group of Chittoor Village received maximum voucher payment from TIST.
6. Sundharam of Sindhukavi Group received maximum voucher payment from TIST.
MR.SUNDHARAM AND HIS EUCALYPTUS TREES
Mr.Sundharam, a member of Sindhukavi Group of Chittoor Village, Sriperumbuthur Taluk, started a nursery with few saplings in polythene covers few months ago. He is among the first in this new field of enterprise with TIST in Tamil Nadu to grow trees. He has now transplanted all the eucalyptus saplings from the nursery on to his 2 acres field. The trees are very nicely planted with good intervals. Rich fertilizing substance has been used. Few short time crops (like green chilly) are planted in between the eucalyptus trees for immediate reward. He pumps water by way of hosepipe from a very long distance and keeps his plantings alive. His whole family is in sense of duty to watch over this field from domestic animals. For the well maintenance of this 2 acres eucalyptus field, TIST has paid Rs.2,800/- (twice) as voucher payment to Sundharam.
This has given him more self-assurance and planning to dedicate more of his land for planting trees. Proud Sundharam says, "Do Something to Deserve".
HONOURS
Mr.Prabakar Srinivasan (Project Manager – TIST India), always with a smile on his face and full of complex and innovative ideas, he grabs your attention instantly. He has propelled this TIST Project in to several remote drought affected areas and motivated the villagers in Tree Planting and Conservation Farming. He has been successful in his work by extending the TIST program in to 21 villages. His achievement stands to be groundbreaking. Mr.Prabakar please accept this Word of Honour and big thanks for all your hard work.
INTRODUCING A. JOSEPH, YOUR NEW TIST CORRESPONDENT
I am a lover of nature and with full of zeal to take-up challenging responsibilities. Mere stroke of luck fetched me this wonderful opportunity to be a TIST Coordinator & Correspondent. I feel out of this world, because TIST is in the field of strengthening the Environment, which is one of my passions too. I would like to thank Mr.Ramesh Narasimhan, TIST Project Manager and part of the US TIST Team, but more importantly a long time friend of mine, for providing me the opportunity to be part of the global TIST Team. I will work with Prabakar and others and strive to serve the TIST Program in India.
TIST INDIA
1. Mr. Prabakar Srinivasan, Project Manager
2. Mr. A. Joseph, TIST Coordinator and Correspondent